The day of the semi-finals will start with two placement matches with the unfortunate teams who lost in the quarter-finals. Familiar foes, Denmark and the Faroe Islands, will open up the court in Max-Schmeling-Halle, vying for the last-day fifth-place game. European champions Portugal and the hosts of the upcoming IHF Men's Youth World Championship Croatia are joining them in the second game.

Placement Matches 5-8

• 10:00 CEST Denmark vs Faroe Islands

Two sides with recognisable style pit sides after a sorrowful loss in the quarter-finals. Denmark, one of the most successful teams in IHF Men's Junior World Championship history, are eager to get back to winning and hopefully end at Germany/Greece 2023 at least fifth. To achieve that, they still have two games to play.

Denmark earned their place among the top eight teams after beating another Scandinavian side, Sweden. Their good streak was stopped by the co-hosts Germany as Denmark were struggling in the attack. In the crucial game, they scored below their average, 26, and were left disappointed.

The Faroe Islands almost had the same destiny. The unbeaten team, underdogs of the competition, came across Serbia. The fast-paced attack with Elias Ellefsen Á Skipagotu couldn't find a way through a strong opponent's defence while they weren't aggressive enough against strong back shooters.

The Faroe Islands hope their better attack on paper will be proved in the battle for the placement, just like they won against Denmark at the M20 EHF EURO 2022 in the group phase. The Faroe Islands beat the Danes 33:32 in Portugal with Skipagotu's nine-goal outing.

• 12:30 CEST Croatia vs Portugal

The M20 EHF EURO 2022 runners-up had a different outcome in mind, but they couldn't keep up with Iceland in the quarter-finals. Portugal seemed to have a problem with the Scandinavian style of handball, as the only other defeat they suffered was against the Faroe Islands.

Portugal are the fourth-best defence in the competition, conceding only 24 goals per game on average. They also have a slightly more efficient attack than their opponents Croatia, netting 32.33 goals, while Croatia are at 32.17. Once again, all eyes will be on André Sousa and Pedro Oliveira, whose tally is at 37 and 29 respectively.

“Despite the defeat against Iceland, we know that our players did an excellent game, fought and gave themselves up until the end, although we are aware that we could have done a little better,” said Portuguese head coach Carlos Martingo for portal.fpa.pt.

Croatia had a tough game against Hungary in the quarter-finals. After trailing they came back to the match and made an effort but too many turnovers and mistakes in the last ten minutes saw them part ways with the semi-finals.

The Croatian side will miss Matej Vuleta, a producer of 11 goals and an important link in the attack, due to an injury. However, Croatia's main weapon are the goalkeepers Matej Mandić and Dominik Kuzmanović, both having astonishing saves throughout the competition.